1/30/2011

A Warm & Toasty Winter Mantel....

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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My...ohhh my...Colorado is experiencing some of the coldest temperatures so far this winter! The weather forecast is predicting temps of -10 to -20 for Monday night...brrrr! I'm tellin' ya what...our little wood burning stove is going non-stop. We do have central heat but our wood burning stove just makes our home extra warm and toasty...I love it!
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Speaking of warm and toasty...I thought I would share my fireplace mantel's winter decor with you today for Metamorphosis Monday and Table Top Tuesday! I hope that you enjoy!
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A Warm & Toasty Winter Mantel...
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As you can see...in the photo above...our fireplace is located in the living room. It is a faux fireplace...merely for decoration. Sure wished that it were real...a warm and toasty fire would be especially nice today!
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I decided to use warm, toasty colors for my winter mantel.
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Bronze colored browns and gilded golds dominate the color scheme....along with a few accents of copper and green.
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Of course my design goal was to create a mantel vignette that looked and felt warm and cozy.
 So I did a little house shopping for a few "key" pieces!
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A decorative metal, birdcage clock would work perfectly for the focal point!
This pretty clock can usually be found on the shelf of our entertainment cabinet.
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I added a floral pick of coppery colored zebra grass to the interior of the clock. Then I added a couple more of these pretty copper colored floral picks...along with a little pine...underneath the clock. Toss in few acorns, green berries, and a few pieces of miniature "sugared" fruit...and voila!
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I love the olden look of the clock face!
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A small, decorative gold box sits just to the right of the clock.
  The ornate detailing is so pretty on this little box!
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Gold and copper colored "sugared" fruit fill a wire cloche.
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I love the sweet little bird finial atop the wire cloche! And...of course...no winter mantel would be complete without a little candlelight! Two gold candleholders with a decorative brown and cream damask pattern will fit that "bill" perfectly! A sugared pear and apple sit at the base of the cloche...just a little extra added pretty!
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Three copper colored keys are tied together with a gold ribbon and hang from the bird finial!
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A tall torchiere lamp brings interest to the left side of the mantle vignette.
  A few...old but well loved...books are stacked between the lamp and a bronze metal candleholder.
 A single, sugared apple sits so sweetly beside the books!
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A warm and toasty winter hearth...
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A warm and toasty winter mantel!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Table Top Tuesday...hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.
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Thank you, Susan and Marty...for hosting these fabulous parties for us! *
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Well my friends...thank you so much for stopping by today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you! *
Warmest Winter Wishes!

33 comments:

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh girl I can't beleive I'm the first one here YIPPEE!!
Oh Sis I love your new look ..the candle sticks are to die 4 beautiful girl..and all the glitter fruits..You do have that magic touch Sis...Love it but love ya more..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You really have set the perfect note for warm and toasty, Chari! The colors are perfect, and as always, you have made a lovely vignette. I always enjoy visiting you. :-)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I just love your birdcage clock, Chari! That is gorgeous with the florals and dried pieces.

Melissa Miller said...

Chari this is simply gorgeous! This is my favorite mantel you have created so far. Love the precious gold box and clock. Fabulous display of beauty!

Stay warm and toasty sweet friend.

Warmly, ~Melissa :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Chari! Oh, how beautiful! Your mantle display is gorgeous! You're so good at this. I remember when you got this mantle! Look at that birdcage clock! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Terri Steffes said...

That is so pretty. I wish you lived nearby... I'd have you over for tea and then ask, oh so innocently, Chari, could you take a look at this mantle and see what you could do with it? :-)

9405018--Pat said...

Just perfect! so warm and cozy....thanks foe sharing...PAT Howe

janet said...

Oh my gosh Chari, absolutely beautiful. My husband hung a floating shelf above our tv, and I call it my mantle because there is just no room for a fireplace in our living room. I can hardly wait to make it beautiful like yours, i just put up there whst i had in our home. I need to check out the thrift stores. Thanks for sharing this lovely mantel of yours.
hugs
janet

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I don't envy you with those temps. You did a great job on the mantel - very pretty. Don't you love the wire cloche with the bird on top. I have one like it that I won in a giveaway.
Have a great week.

Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement said...

Chari,

I used to follow you on RMS and am so glad I found your blog! That mantel looks so beautiful!

I just started a blog last week and would be so honored if you'd come by! :)

Have a great day!
Pam

Anonymous said...

I think you succeeded at creating a warm and cozy vignette. The mantle and fireplace surround are beautiful with little adornment.

Vanessa said...

Hi Chari! I always have to go through your posts very slowly so I can study how you have things arranged! :-) It is always so beautiful and you definitely have the "knack" for making it seem so elegant and yet so effortless at the same time. Thanks for the great inspiration!
Vanessa

Dreamgoddess said...

How elegantly beautiful! I love how you've decorated the clock and the sugared fruits are a wonderful touch. All the small details, like the coppery keys, really make this a stunning vignette.

Here On Crow Creek said...

Chari, you becareful in that cold weather! Stay warm! Your mantel looks so pretty but I think your home is always so pretty.Looks so classy!

Pamela said...

Beautiful display!!

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

There is that fabulous clock-faced birdcage (that I just love) again! It looks wonderful as the centerpiece on your mantel! I really like the warm colour scheme you went with, so rich and inviting! The candlesticks are lovely and I like how you've balanced both sides of the mantel evenly but with different items. Terrific!

DD

Nita Stacy said...

very pretty mantel and yes it does look warm and toasty. I just decorated mine for Valentines will show tomorrow. I really wasn't in the mood for hearts and flowers though....I had other things I would have rather put up. I'm more in the mood for a warm and toasty one like your's.

Kelly said...

You are a genius at arranging things! Love this mantle. Especially the sugared fruit and the candlesticks!

Kelly

Theresa said...

I LOVE warm and toasty:) Love all of your pretties on your mantel! Hope you are having a marvelous Monday my frien! HUGS!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Chari, your mantel looks gorgeous! Loving all of the warm colors. Those candlesticks are so unique and beautiful. I'm always amazed at how you decorate that great clock. Your vignettes are always so beautiful, and this one is no exception. laurie

Olive said...

You have the most splendid collection of wire cloches Chari. the mantle is lovely. It was 72degress yesterday and sunny but wet and cold today. I am in front on the fire for you but guess what I have no mantle. hugs♥O

Karie said...

Your mantel is gorgeous. You always do such beautiful work. I come to your blog to be inspired. Thanks for sharing.

podso said...

It is so beautiful! I may have said this before but your photographs have such wonderful lighting -- it looks natural and it looks like the morning. Hope you are staying warm and having a good week!

Allyson Pecilunas said...

Your mantle looks gorgeous!! I just found your blog from tabletop tuesday. I am now a new follower. Come check me out if you get a chance.

noplacelikehomeally.blogspot.com

~Allyson~

xinex said...

You sure picked and put together the right elements, Chari. Your home looks so wonderfully warm and cozy in spite of the cold weather outside....Christine

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OMG Chari!
I literally gasped when I saw that first pic! It's so beautiful!
I so love that wire clock, those candlesticks, the sugary fruit,everything is just so gorgeous!
I am so in awe of your talents girlfriend! Oh, and I love those little keys too!
Sounds like your getting some of our kind of weather! We have had almost non-stop snow this winter!
It snowed about 6 more inches today. I have gotten stuck in my driveway twice this past week. Poor Dan has had to shovel me out and then pull me out with his jeep.
I am so in need of some Spring!!!!
I have had Addison almost everynight this past week while Katie trains at her new job.
I love it, but I can feel my age right now! hehee.
Well you stay warm now girlfriend. And maybe you can come sit on my porch for real this summer!!!
Tell Russ I said pretty please with sugar on top!
Big Hugs,
Cindy

On Crooked Creek said...

Chari,
Absolutely lovely! Oh what great detailing on your mantle, dear friend! Made me feel warm and cozy all over in these frigid temperatures we're experiencing! The keys attached to the wire bird cloche caught my eye. Thank you for such an elegant post.
Fondly,
Pat

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

This whole arrangement is stunning. Love that clock, what a wonderful piece. You know I love that cloche and filled with the fruit and the keys hanging off the side, so pretty. You always do the most amazing vignettes. Love this one. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Katie @ This Chick Cooks said...

I love that little bird cloche and your paint color is lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Katie

Cindy said...

Hi Chari,
Every little detail is perfection! Your birdcage clock is adorable, I love how detailed you are. So lovely!
Hugs, Cindy

Laurie said...

I hope the warm and cozy mantle will help keep you the same during your frigid weather! Take care... Laurie

Gypsy Heart said...

Absolutely beautiful!! And that is normal for you. :-) Love the candle sticks especially.

Hope you're warm and safe! We're in an icebox here.

xoxo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

I forgot! The clock is awesome. I just love clocks and this one is a keeper for sure.

xoxo
Pat